Gozo at the heart of government’s strategic vision

Fenech singled out a number of projects commenced or continued in 2011, including the re-building of the roads of Ta' Pinu and Xlendi, and works on the Dwejra road; work on the Gozo slaughterhouse; a €1.5 million investment in the Radiology Department at the General Hospital in Gozo; as well as an upgrade of the hospital of the IT system at the Gozo hospital, which enabled its connection to Mater Dei Hospital, among other projects. 

In this year's budget, Fenech announced a half-million euro allocation for advertising the island of Gozo as a distinct tourist destination - the first time Gozo has been given its own advertising budget. Other initiatives aimed specifically at Goxitan tourism include consultation phase, to commence next year, with a view to revising the licensing system for the catering industry, t provide more incentives for quality and investment in this sector.

Referring to the 2008 electoral promise of Eco-Gozo, the finance minister said that more than half of these proposals have already been completed or are in the process of being carried out. These include ecological reclamation initiatives, water and waste management, projects related to renewable energy, and other such initiatives.

This year €4 million have been allocated to continue these projects, and to implement other projects associated with the Eco-Gozo Vision. Fenech revealed that a further €25 million were not absorbed from last year's allocation to Gozo. These funds will form part of the allocation for 2013, as is the practice with European Union Funds.

In order to assist Gozitan students at the University of Malta, MCAST or ITS, the allowance these already enjoy will be increased by a total of more than €700,00; and any distinction between students at different institutions will be eliminated so that all are brought up to the same level.

Other projects include the continued maintenance programme of Gozo's roads, as well as improvements in existing education facilities - including a language lab at the Ninu Cremona institute - and healthcare services provided at the Gozo General Hospital.

Rural projects include the cleaning of valleys and collecting rainwater, building of new reservoirs and the maintenance of old ones, building more rubble walls, and a number of other initiatives in the agricultural, cultural, economic and social area.
Fenech however reiterated that the greatest challenge for Gozo remains employment; admitting that progress in this regard has been sporadic throughout 2011.

In order to coordinate a national effort for the economic and social development in Gozo, the Prime Minister has entrusted the Secretariat for Strategic Policy within his Office to focus the efforts of all the public entities for the creation of more employment and better employment in Gozo.

To this end, studies commenced this year relating to the possibility of a permanent link between Gozo and Malta must also reflect this reality.